Ninkasi Brewing Co. Named Good Food Awards Winner

EUGENE, Ore.—In an award ceremony hosted last night at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater in San Francisco, Calif., Ninkasi Brewing Company’s co-founder and founding brewer, Jamie Floyd, was honored as the brewery received a Good Food Awards medal for its Believer Double Red Ale. Joined by food crafters from across the country, the ceremony celebrated the top 130 socially-conscious food entrepreneurs for their commitment to producing authentic and responsible food.

Organized by Seedling Projects, culinary luminaries Alice Waters, Ruth Reichl and Nell Newman honored the 2014 winners onstage, commencing with opening remarks from M.C. Dr. Zeke Emanuel. Established in 2009, this year’s Good Food Awards received 1,450 entries — double the number since the awards first launched — hailing from all 32 states. The awards honor crafters in the categories of beer, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, coffee, confections, oils, picks, preserves, and spirits.

In a blind tasting held last September, an impressive panel of more than 20, including brewers, craft beer writers, and influencers in the industry, sampled and scored each of this year’s beer entries. Paired with an in-depth questionnaire investigating each breweries’ sustainability efforts — ranging from the ingredients used to the relationships with its consumers, suppliers and community—Ninkasi received the award for its strides towards creating a better community throughout all states where its beer is sold.

“We were impressed to learn about Ninkasi’s sustainability efforts — from solar panels to sourcing nearly all of the hops it uses from the Pacific Northwest — as well as a deep philanthropic engagement in Ninkasi’s community,” explains Sarah Weiner, executive director for Seedling Projects.

“We have always strived to be the village brewer and continue to look for ways to improve our operations from employing sustainable practices in our facilities to the relationships we create within our communities and even how we treat our employees,” says Floyd.

From sourcing local ingredients, to upcycling, recycling, increasing energy efficiencies, and giving back to all the communities where it operates, Ninkasi strives to continually make choices that benefit its community and lessen its environmental impact.

“It is exciting to learn from other Good Food Awards winners as well as the other breweries we share this honor with,” says Floyd. “I look forward to continuing our commitment to providing nourishing beer in the most sustainable ways we can!”

Founded in 2006 by Jamie Floyd and Nikos Ridge, Ninkasi Brewing Company continues to grow from its first batch of Total Domination IPA, to a 55-barrel brewing system located in Eugene, Ore. Ninkasi’s Flagship beers—Total Domination IPA, Tricerahops Double IPA, Believer Double Red, Oatis Oatmeal Stout, and Vanilla Oatis Oatmeal Stout—are sold throughout Oregon, Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and British Columbia. The brewery remains privately-owned and is committed to community support and giving. Ninkasi’s Beer Is Love program offers in-kind donations and support for organizations throughout its footprint.

Ninkasi Brewing began on June 15th, 2006 when Jamie Floyd and Nikos Ridge spent 17 hours brewing their first batch of Total Domination IPA in leased space inside a German restaurant in Springfield, Or...